Greetings all! I've been lurking for quite a while and enjoying the posts as always. But with nothing new with me, besides a lot work, I've not posted in quite some time. I've had my '08 Turbo for a year now and it has 11,000 miles so 've enjoyed it. Seems like Jason was just picking it up yesterday for me!

I'm headed to Laguna Niguel for two days over Valentines weekend and am renting an F430 Spider from Beverly Hills Rent A Car. If you've not seen their selection, it's quite impressive: http://www.bhrentacar.com/cars.htm
You can rent a Bugatti Veyron ($25,000/day or $150,000 per week), a Rolls Drophead ($7,500/day / $45,000/week) They have everything: R8's, Lambos, AM Vanquish, etc.

The pulished rate on the Spider is $3,000 per day and I fugured they would probably be hurting so I politely offered $1,200 for their F430 Cope. The guy was really cool and told me he could not go that low and I told him I completely understood.

Well he didnt even wait 24 hours to call me back to "earn my business" and said that I could have the Spider for $1,200/day. Granted, thats not a steal but it should be a fun two days as we're also staying at the Ritz Carlton.

Mark has graciously offered to give me a garage tutorial in his Spider so that I dont look like a jerk off when I drive away in it. Hopefully he and I will hook up on Friday to do this!

Does anyone have any route recommendations while I'm down there? I was thinking the PCH would be nice but also very slow. I'm somewhat concerned about the flash factor and the potential for backlash with the economy being in such bad shape.

The other things about the rental: 50 miles per day "free"...$2.00 per mile thereafter...and oh yes, the $25,000 deposit. But hey, you live once, enjoy it...right?

Thanks- Brad

 

Brad just drive that baby one way straight home and never come back. Seriously be ready for your F-car experience, it will haunt you until you have one in your garage. You will have a good time with that car regardless of the routes you take. .

 

The gated shifter can be quite intimidating and takes some time to get used to, but oh boy is the F430 a dream to drive! I agree with Vincent, I can't wait until I get a prancing horse in my stable. Look for some twisties

 

Brad! Haven't seen you post on here in a while nor have I heard from you outside of 6speed either! Good to see you're doing well! I think of you sometimes. Seems like yesterday when I picked up your 997TT and parked it in my garage for you!

That was nice of Mark to offer you a tutorial. It's pretty straightforward driving the F430 Spyder. You didn't say if it was a manual or a F1. The F1 system is really easy to use as you'll find out on Friday. The manual gated version is a bit trickier but the experience is still no less pleasurable. You'll have a blast down there.

Since you're going to be in Orange County, I highly recommend taking the time to head to Cafe R&D (949 219 0555) at the Fashion Island Mall in Newport Beach (www.shopfashionisland.com) and ordering the prime rib dip with shoestring fries. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven. They have the BEST prime rib dip I've ever had and trust me, I've been around. I can think of a bunch of other places to visit but that one is definitely on top of the list.

Have fun and enjoy driving that F430 because trust me, it won't be the same going back to the 997TT afterwards.

 

He he, that phrase gets me in so much trouble...

 

Hit Tuna Canyon road in Malibu. Trust me, it's worth your time.

 

Thanks for the reply's guys! Yes, Vincent, the idea of driving it back to Seattle has crossed my mind! Although the hit to the credit card would be sobering!

Jason, the Spider is and F1. The coupe was a 6-Speed and thats what I really wanted. I only have a brief experince from Bruce's F430 coupe (Black Diamond, WA) so I'm excited to get some extended seat time. I'm afraid I'll love the F1 and won't want to go back to a manual!

It will be fun to compare Ferrari to Porsche, which I have to say I absolutely love. I cant imagine the performance is going to be markedly differnt but that F-car soundtrack will be differnt story. I've already told Stephanie that under no circumstances will the stereo be on while we're driving! I'm sure it will be tough going back to my "vacum cleaner" when I return!

Brad

 

Brad I can't tell you your car is a vacuum cleaner but you will like the Ferrari over the Porsche. It's a better car. Of course it costs a lot more as well. What color are you renting?

I would hesitate the car rental and take a nice helicopter ride up the coast. That would be way more fun and create something to really talk about for years to come. Driving a car you can do anytime.

Just my 2 cents

As far as California goes I'd have gone to Carmel on the Monterey Peninsula. That's the best place in California for a date. Of course I'm biased that's where CV and I had a couple of nice weekends while I raced Laguna.

 

I can check with some friends to see if they are planning a canyon run that weekend. I hear the canyons are lots of fun if you go with someone who knows where to go. Let me know if you want me to ping some friends down there.

 

have fun....and bring some pics

 

Go check out BBi Autosport in Huntington Beach while you're down there, they'll set you up with all the goodies for your 997TT.

 

Sounds like a great time - have a blast! I have never driven a Ferrari, but after reading this thread, I really want to now! A white F430 Spider is on my wish list for my next car. Be sure to take some pictures of your trip!

 

take lots of pics

 

Just got Brad all hooked up and he now knows how to drive an Italian. The good news his smile might not go down by the time he get's south next weekend. The other, I'm sure his drive home right now he's trying to decide how much the trade in value on his new 997TT actually is...

 

Mark was gracious enough to allow me to test his Spider from the drivers seat and even cooked me dinner afterwards!

I think we all know in this forum, the trade in value on TT would be miserale although Mark's right, the thought of a trade in did run through my mind all the way home! It would take a lot for me to break with my Porsche tradition though!

I will definitely take lots of pics and am already planning on a riduclously high mileage charge seeing as it's $2 per! Greta, I saw your turbo parked at Whole Foods on Superbowl Sunday and it looked fantastic! (Nice choice on parking stalls!)

BB